Cotton wagon construction



Jan. 29, 1963 w. H.- SILVER COTTON WAGON CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 26, 1960 FIG. 1

INVENTOR WALTER H SILVER BY W 4 2r 4&5

Jan. 29, 1963 w. H. SILVER COTTON WAGON CONSTRUCTION 2 SheetS -Sheet 2 I INVENTOR. WALTER H. SILVER wvg adu; zz

Filed Oct. 26, 1960 rates This invention relates to a unique construction of a wagon for cotton and the like.

Heretofore, the cost of shipping cotton wagons from the factory to the places of use has been prohibitive due to the bulkiness of the wagons and the large space that was taken up thereby. Because of thi fact, the usual practice has been to tow the wagon to its place of use, which was also an undesirable practice because of the inconvenience and expense. in addition, cotton wagons were manufactured in more than one size to meet the requirements of the farmers, which was disadvantageous since a stock of each size had to be maintained.

The present invention is directed towards overcoming the disadvantages of previous cotton wagons. Thus, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a cotton wagon which can be broken down into acceptable shipping units.

A further object is to provide a cotton wagon which is made up of a plurality of standard sized units which can be varied in number to change the overall size of the cotton wagon, whereby it is not necessary for the factory to make and stock various sized cotton Wagons but only necessary to maize the standard sized units.

A further object is to provide such a cotton wagon having a wagon bed formed of a plurality of substantially identical panels which are held together by unique means to produce a structurally strong bed.

A further object is to provide a plurality of gates arranged in side-by-side relationship to establish the sides of the cotton wagon and to provide unique and efiicient means for holding the gates together.

A further object is to provide a sturdy and efficient cotton wagon which is economical to manufacture.

A further object is generally to improve the design and construction of cotton wagons.

The means by which the foregoing and other objects of the present invention are accomplished and the man her of their accomplishment will be readily understood from the following specification upon reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cotton wagon of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view thereof with the wheeled carriage being removed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one of the gates of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one of the wagon bed panels, illustrated in an inverted position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bottom of the wagon bed turned upside down and in a partially completed disposition.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as on the line Vl-VI of HG. 8, showing the means of attaching the side members to the panels.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view of a portion of one or" the side members, shown in an inverted position.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as on the line Vlll-Vlll of FIG. 6, viewed from the bottom of the wagon bed.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the side of the cotton wagon, as viewed from the inside of the wagon looking out.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as on the line X-X of PH 9.

the

Lauri FIG. 1=l is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken as on the line XIXI of FIG. 9.

Referring now to the drawings in which the various parts are indicated by numerals, the cotton wagon ll of the present invention includes a wagon bed l3 made up of a plurality of substantially identical panels 15 adapted to be varied in number to establish a selected length of the wagon bed. Each of panels 15 includes a pair of spaced flanges 17 respectively depending from opposite edges of the panel. in assembling wagon bed 13 the panels are arranged in side-by-side relationship, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, with the adjacent flanges of adjacent panels being in abutment to establish pairs of abutted flanges as at 19. A plurality of U-chaped members 21 respectively closely embrace abutted flanges it? to hold panels 15 together. In the lower half of FIG. 5 the panels are shown with the flanges T7 in abutted relationship but before the U-shaped members 21 have been placed thereon, and one or" the lJ-shaped members 21 is shown in the process of being placed thereon. in the upper half of this FIG. 5 the wagon bed 13 has been assembled. Means are provided for anchoring members 21 on the pairs of abutted flanges 17, which means preferably comprise bolts 23 extending through aligned apertures in the members 21 and flanges 17 and held therein by nuts 25.

Spaced parallel braces 27 extend longitudinally of cotton wagon 11 and are attached to U-shaped members 21 as by brackets 29 which are fixedly attached to braces 27 as by welding or the like and removably attached to U-shaped members 21 as by extending bolts 23 through apertures in the brackets. Each of braces 27 is preferably formed in two parts with a spacer member 3i interposed between the parts so that the total length may be varied by interposing one or more spacer members 31 or by leaving out the spacer members and joining the parts of the braces together. Members 31 are provided with flanges 33 adjacent the ends thereof which abut flanges 35 fixedly attached to the parts of braces 27 adjacent flanges 33, thus providing means for adjoining spacer members 31 and the parts of the braces as by extending bolt means or the like through aligned apertures therein.

Side members 3'7 are respectively provided along opposite side edges of wagon bed 13. Each of side members 37 is preferably channel-shaped in cross section and includes a vertical web 39', a horizontal upper flange 41, and a horizontal lower flange 43. An intermediate horizontal flange 45' is provided between flanges ll, 43 and is preferably formed by right angular members 46 each having its vertical flange 47 fixedly attached to web 39 as by welding or the like and its other flange serving as intermediate flange 45. Flange 55 is closely spaced relative to flange 41 to establish a slot 43 therebetween. Angular members as are interrupted at spaced intervals as at 45 to correspond to the lateral spacing of U-shaped members 21. Attached to web 39 in spaces 59 are vertical plates st for a purpose later to be described. Side members 37 are mounted in the manner best shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 8 wherein it will be seen the edges 53 of panels 15 are received in slots as and the ends of U-shaped members 21 with pairs 19 therein are respectively fixedly attached to plates 5 as by bolts 55 which extend through aligned apertures in the U-shaped members 21, pairs 1?, and plates 51, and are anchored therein as by nuts 57. Intermediate ilange 4S and upper flange 41 are so spaced that the edges 53 are closely received therein to give structural strength to the panels 15. Also, it will be understood that the spaced intervals 4% provide a space wherein the ends of U-shaped members 21 with pairs 19 therein may extend for attachment as above described.

Side members 3'7 are preferably in sections which arejoined end to end. A plurality of U-shaped brackets 59 are attached to side members 37 in spaced relationship around the outside thereof, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 5,. to provide sockets 61 for a purpose later to be described. Where the sections of side members 37 join, only half of. a U-shaped bracket 59 is provided as shown at 59A in. FIG. 5 so that when the adjacent section of side member- 37, which carries the other half of the bracket 59A, is put in place the complete bracket 59 will be formed.

A plurality of posts 63 are respectively received in sockets 61 at the lower end of the posts so that the posts are upstanding around the periphery of bed 13 in the manner best seen in FIG. 1. Each of posts 63 is substantiallychannel-shaped in cross section including a web 6S and spaced flanges 67 inwardly extending from the web with the flanges being inturned towards one another to provide spaced lips 69.

A plurality of upstanding side gates 7 i are arranged in side-by-side relationship and respectively extend across the. spaces between posts 63 to establish the sides 73 of cotton wagon 11. Each of gates 71 preferably comprises an upper panel section 75, a lower panel section 77, a pair of vertical angle members 79 fixedly attached adjacent the opposite edges of panel sections 75, 77, and wire mesh 81 or the like fixedly attached to the panel sections and the angle members to cover the opening formed thereby- Each of vertical angle members 79' has one flange thereof extending outwardly to establish edge portions 83 perpendicular to the main body of the gate along opposite edges thereof. A lower horizontal flange 35 is provided adjacent the lower edge of lower panel 77 and extends inwardly and perpendicular to the lower panel in a position to rest upon wagon bed 13 when the gates 71 are assembled with the remainder of the cotton wagon 11 as hereinafter described:

Adjacent edge portions 33 are spaced apart as at $7 and extend into posts 63 between lips 69, as shown by one of the assemblies illustrated in EEG. 11. Plates 89 are disposed across adjacent vertical angle members 79 at verti cally spaced intervals and are anchored thereagainst by means of bolts 91 extending through aligned apertures 93, 95 respectively provided in web 65 and plates 83. Nuts 97 are provided on bolts 91 to secure the bolts in place, as above described. It will be understood that the above described construction of the iuncture of posts 63 and gates 71 provides a very sturdy and efiective means for attaching the posts and the gates since there is no possible way for the gates to become disengaged from the posts without loosening nuts 97.

The ends of cotton wagon 11 are preferably formed in the following manner:

Suitable end members 99, preferably shaped as shown in FIG. 5, are provided at the opposite ends of wagon bed 13 and are respectively attached to the flanges 17A of the end panels 15A as by bolts 101 extending through apertures in the end members and flanges 17A, and the bolts are secured therein as by nuts 1%. Brackets 1G5 similar to brackets 29 are fixedly attached to end members 99 in spaced relationship to receive the posts 167 of the end gates 1439. Either or both of end gates i may be of solid panel construction as shown by the end gate to the left in FIG. 1 or may be of wire mesh construction as shown by the end gate to the right in FIG. 1. End gates 16? are preferably welded to posts 1G7. Also, the posts 63A adjacent the corners of cotton Wagon 11 are preterably welded to the related side gates 71A rather than being secured by the means shown in FIG. ii. In addition, side gates 71A are removably and fixedly attached to end gates it along adjacent edges thereof as by suitable means, as for example, nut and bolt means 111.

A rail 113 is in cross section preferably shaped substantially in the form of an inverted U with one of the flanges 115 thereof being fixedly attached along the upper edges of side gates 71 and end gates ltd? as by bolts d 117 and nuts 119. Thus, in FIG. 10 is shown the attachment of rail 113 to upper panel 75 by bolt 11'] extending through aligned apertures in flange 115 and the upper panel.

A pair of elongated braces 121 are preferably provided in the interior of wagon 11 and each of the braces is attached by suitable means adjacent the upper ends thereof to sides 73 and extends diagonally downward to a point of attachment with wagon bed 13, which attachment is made by any suitable removable means.

To complete cotton wagon 11, bed 13 is mounted by suitable means on a wheeled carriage 123 of well-known construction which forms no part of the present invention and therefore is not described in detail, other than to say it is provided with the usual wheels 125 and draw bar 127.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that the length of cotton wagon 11 may be varied by providing more or less panels 15 and side gates 71, In addition, it will be understood that cotton wagon -11 is arranged to be completely broken down into acceptable shipping units, thereby solving the transportation problem. Also, it will be understood that the unique construction of cotton wagon 11 provides a-very sturdy and eiiicient cotton wagon, which is economical to manufacture.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that it is not to be so limited since changes and modifications may be made therein which are within the full intended scope of this invention as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. In a cot-ton wagon, the combination comprising a wagon bed including a plurality of side-by-side panels adapted to be varied in number to establish a selected length of the wagon bed, means removably holding said panels together, means establishing a plurality of spaced sockets adjacent the periphery of said wagon bed, a plurality of posts respectively received in said sockets and upstanding from said bed, a plurality of upstanding side gates arranged in side-by-side relationship and respectively extending across the spaces between said posts to establish the sides of said cotton wagon, means attaching said gates to said posts, said gates being variable in number to establish a selected length of said sides of said cotton Wagon, side members provided along opposite side edges of said wagon bed; each of said side members being substantially channel-shaped in cross section and including a vertical web, a horizontal upper flange, and a horizontal lower flange; each of said side members additionally including a horizontal intermediate flange attached to said web in spaced relation to said lower flange to establish a slot therebetween closely receiving the edge of one of said panels, and end gates respectively enclosing the'opposite ends of said wagon, said cotton wagon being arranged to be completely broken down into acceptable shipping units with said units including said side gates, said end gates, and said panels.

2. In a cotton wagon, the combintion comprising a wagon bed including a plurality of side-by-side panels adapted to be varied in number to establish a selected length of the Wagon bed, said panels respectively including pairs of spaced flanges respectively depending from opposite edges of each of said panels and abutted with adjacent flanges of adjacent panels to establish pairs of abutted flanges, a plurality of U-shaped members respectively embracing said pairs of abutted flanges and fixedly attached thereto to hold said panels together, means establishing a plurality of spaced sockets adjacent the periphery of said wagon bed, a plurality of posts respectively received in said sockets and upstanding from said bed, a plurality of upstanding side gates arranged in side-by-side relation-ship and respectively extending across the spaces between said posts to establish the sides of said cotton wagon, means attaching said gates to said posts, said gates being variabl innumber to establish a selected length of said sides of said cotton wagon, and end gates respectively enclosing the opposite ends of said wagon, said cotton wagon being arranged to be completely broken down into acceptable shipping units with said units including said side gates, said end gates, and said panels.

3. In a cotton wagon, the combination comprising a wagon bed including a plurality of substantially identical panels adapted to be varied in number to establish a selected length of the wagon bed, each of said panels having a pair of spaced flanges respectively depending from opposite edges thereof, said panels being arranged in sideby-side relationship with the adjacent flanges of adjacent panels being in abutment to establish pairs of abutted flanges, a plurality of U-shaped members respectively embracing said pairs of abutted flanges to hold said panels together, means anchoring said U-shaped membets on said abutted flanges, adjustable brace means extending longitudinally beneath said wagon bed and attached thereto, means establishing a plurality of spaced sockets adjacent the periphery of said wagon bed, a plurality of posts respectively received in said sockets and upstanding from said bed, each of said posts being substantially channel-shaped in cross section including a Web and spaced flanges inwardly extending from said web with said flages being inturned towards one another to provide spaced lips, a plurality of upstanding side gates each having edge portions outwardly extending at right angles relative to the remainder of the gate, said gates being arranged in side-by-side relationship and respectively extending across the spaces between said posts to establish the sides of said cotton wagon with the adjacent edge portions of adjacent gates extending into one of said posts between the lips of said post and towards said web thereof, said side gates being substantially identical and being adapted to be varied in number to establish a selected length of said sides of said cotton Wagon,

means securing said edge portions in said posts, said securing means each comprising a plate contacting adja cent gates adjacent said edge portions thereof and bolt means extending through aligned apertures in said plates and said posts, rail mean-s removably securing said gates together adjacent the upper edges thereof, and end gates respectively enclosing the opposite ends of said wagon, said cotton wagon being arranged to be completely broken down into acceptable shipping units with said units including said side gates, said end gates, said panels, and said brace means.

4. In a cotton wagon, the combination comprising a wagon bed including a plurality of side-by-side panels adapted to be varied in number to establish a selected length of the Wagon bed, side members provided along opposite side edges of said wagon bed; each of said side members being substantially channel-shaped in cross section and including a vertical web, a horizontal upper flange and a horizontal lower flange; each of said side members additionally including a horizontal intermediate flange attached to said web in spaced relation to said lower flange to establish a slot therebetween closely receiving the edge of one of said panels.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,223,912 Waterman Apr. 24, 1917 1,296,028 Whittredge Mar. 4, 1919 1,511,728 Howland Oct. 14, 1924 2,011,965 Ball Aug. 20, 1935 2,260,353 Van Alen Oct. 28, 1941 2,263,510 Lindsay Nov. 18, 1941 3,010,755 Black Nov. 28, 1961 OTHER REFERENCES Article: Handy-Work, in Country Gentleman,

February 1950, page 45. 

4. IN A COTTON WAGON, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING A WAGON BED INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF SIDE-BY-SIDE PANELS ADAPTED TO BE VARIED IN NUMBER TO ESTABLISH A SELECTED LENGTH OF THE WAGON BED, SIDE MEMBERS PROVIDED ALONG OPPOSITE SIDE EDGES OF SAID WAGON BED; EACH OF SAID SIDE MEMBERS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY CHANNEL-SHAPED IN CROSS SECTION AND INCLUDING A VERTICAL WEB, A HORIZONTAL UPPER FLANGE AND A HORIZONTAL LOWER FLANGE; EACH OF SAID SIDE MEMBERS ADDITIONALLY INCLUDING A HORIZONTAL INTERMEDIATE FLANGE ATTACHED TO SAID WEB IN SPACED RELATION TO SAID LOWER FLANGE TO ESTABLISH A SLOT THEREBETWEEN CLOSELY RECEIVING THE EDGE OF ONE OF SAID PANELS. 